{% include "includes/auth/janrain/signIn_traditional.html" with message='It looks like you are already verified. If you still have trouble signing in, you probably need a new confirmation link email.' %}

Midland Fire Chief Robert Isbell has been tapped to lead the Round Rock Fire Department following a monthslong national search.

The Round Rock City Council is set to confirm Isbell as fire chief at its Oct. 27 meeting. His first day on the job is set for Dec. 12.

“We’re thrilled to bring Chief Isbell to Round Rock,” City Manager Laurie Hadley said in a news release. “His experience and skills are a perfect fit for the Fire Department and City executive team. We’ll open two new fire stations in December and will break ground on our first Public Safety Training Facility in November, and I fully expect Chief Isbell to be able to hit the ground running.”

The city hired executive search firm Strategic Government Resources Fire Chief David Coatney accepted the top position at Dallas Fire-Rescue Department in July. Billy Wusterhausen — himself a candidate for fire chief — served as interim fire chief during the search.

Isbell has served as Midland fire chief since December 2010. Before that, he served as fire chief in Euless and Southlake. He began his career in Mansfield in 1985, where he rose to the rank of captain.

Isbell said he is familiar with Central Texas, having visited the area during Texas Fire Chiefs Association conferences and family trips. “It’s a familiar and comfortable place to be,” he said.

Isbell holds a master’s degree in executive leadership and a bachelor’s degree in public safety administration, both from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, according to the release. He completed the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy and the Certified Public Manager Program at Texas Tech University.

Like Round Rock, Midland has experienced periods of explosive growth. But unlike Round Rock, it is heavily influenced by the ebbs and flows of the oil industry.

While Isbell will be overseeing a smaller coverage area — Midland Fire’s service area is 900 square miles compared to 85 for Round Rock — he will head a department that he said has a strong statewide reputation and high standards.

“It’s evident when they post (open positions) for firefighters and they literally get hundreds of applicants,” he said of Round Rock Fire’s reputation.

Isbell noted that unlike Midland, Round Rock has a firefighter association, which uses a meet-and-confer process to negotiate pay and additional positions at the fire department.

“It’s just more formalized, but those are very easy to understand and work within,” Isbell said. “I look forward to working within that framework.”

Billy Colburn, Round Rock fire battalion chief and president of the Round Rock Association of Professional Firefighters, said four association members visited Midland and other hometowns of the final four candidates. That information was given to Hadley, he said, which helped with her final decision.

Colburn said Isbell’s leadership is greatly needed for a quickly growing fire department. He noted that the two new fire stations slated for a December opening will need new personnel.